UAEFA allows soccer clubs to impose 40 per cent pay cuts

The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has allowed the professional clubs of country to temporarily deduct a maximum of 40 per cent of their players and coaches monthly salaries.

This was announced by Mohamed Abdullah Hazzam Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the UAE Football Association, following the virtual meeting held by the board members on Sunday under the chairmanship of Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.

The proposal, which allows monthly wages to be reduced provided they do not fall below Dhs15,000, was discussed during their UAEFA meeting.

In the UAE’s first division league, Dhaheri said clubs are permitted to deduct a maximum of 40 per cent of monthly salaries, provided players earn at least Dh10,000 per month.

In addition, the association issued an updated decision extending player contracts and moving transfer windows to allow the season on hold due to coronavirus to be completed.

This allows players’ expiring contracts to be extended beyond the end of June, in conformity with FIFA’s new guidelines. Transfer deals due to be completed this summer will be delayed until the next season starts.

Nuaimi said in a speech during the meeting that health comes first and foremost and that the safety of community members is always most important.

Earlier on Sunday, the UAEFA extended the suspension of football activities in the country until further notice as a precautionary measure.

The UAEFA will continue to ‘evaluate and review’ the situation, with a decision regarding the resumption of competition taken only in consultation with the relevant authorities.

The UAEFA had originally suspended all football activity in the country for a period of four weeks from March 15, but said it had taken its most recent decision in line with the relevant authorities.

The 2019-20 Arabian Gulf League was halted after the completion of 19 rounds of the season.

With seven rounds remaining this season, Shabab Al Ahli are currently on top of the table, six points ahead of Al Ain.

The President’s Cup final, between Al Ain and Al Dhafra, is yet to be played.

As of yet, no deadline has been set as to when the competition must be completed – if at all.

Last month, the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) had joined the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) in suspending all sporting activity in line with a letter issued by the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) praised the measures taken by the UAE Football Association, to support the community, by sending many positive messages.

The AFC also hailed the decisions taken by UAEFA, to maintain the health and safety of the football community and all segments of society.

The confederation made this statement in a letter sent to Sheikh Rashid, Chairman of the UAEFA, from Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Confederation.

The letter briefed Sheikh Rashid on the efforts of the confederation and its recommendations, in the light of the latest developments.

It also included FIFA’s recommendations regarding its list of football tournaments for men, the youth, juniors and women, as well as indoor competitions and other football-related events.